Recall - Airbag Contact Ring: Overview
Group 32Steering
Bulletin Number
32 02 96
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
August 1996
Product Engineering
Whenever possible, the repairs outlined in this bulletin should be performed in conjunction with Recall 96V-111, S.I. 61 08 96 to minimize customer inconvenience.
SUBJECT:
Recall Campaign 96V-110
MODEL:
E31, E32, E34, E36
Situation:
The release portion of the locking tab for the airbag contact ring could break, which in some cases could allow the contact ring wiring to become stretched or broken, depending on the degree and direction of steering wheel movement.
A Recall Campaign is being conducted to replace the early style locking tab with the later style that is manufactured from a different material and incorporates a reinforcement rib to prevent the tab from engaging unless the steering wheel retaining bolt is removed.
Vehicles Affected:
This Recall Campaign affects all E31, E32, E34, E36 vehicles produced from 7/90 until 2/92 that have not already had the locking tab replaced.
In order to determine if a specific vehicle is affected by this Recall Campaign, it will be necessary to utilize the "Service Menu" of the DCS (Dealer Communication System. Based on the response of the system, either proceed with the corrective action or take no further action.
The Chassis Number Ranges listed below are only for informational purposes and are not to be considered as the only deciding factor
Model Chassis Number Range
318i FG00000 - FG01043
318iS JA00000 - JA00730
325i FE00004 - FE07461
325iA FF75006 - FF91816
325iS EF35004 - EF36409
325iSA EK00008 - Ek01791
525i BF94005 - BF98868
525iA BJ57005 - BJ78749
525i Touring GD20001 - GD20285
535i BF11190 - BF12951
535iA BF69690 - BF74589
M5 BK05508 - BK06399
735i DB66735 - DB71637
735iL DC27434 - DC31527
750iL DC78652 - DC80997
850i CB42005 - CB42730
850iA CB72010 - CB74603
Parts Information:
The only part required to perform this Recall is a locking tab, part number 32 34 1 161 875. However, there is a possibility that you may encounter a car that has had the airbag contact ring damaged previously, and the customer has been ignoring the SRS warning light. Therefore, you should have a contact ring, part number 32 34 1 160 901, on hand in case you should encounter one of these situations.
Recall Campaign Label Instructions:
This Recall Campaign has been assigned code number 168 After the vehicle has been checked, and corrected if necessary, obtain a label (SD 92- 070) and:
a) emboss your BMW dealer warranty number in the middle of the label (1);
b) punch out code number 168 printed on the label and,
c) affix the label to the B pillar as shown:
If the vehicle already has a label from a previous Service Action/Recall Campaign, affix the new label next to the old one. Do not affix one label on top of another one because a number from an underlying label could appear in the punched-out hole of the new label.
Procedure:
The illustrations used in the procedures described below are generic for all car lines involved in the Recall, and may vary slightly from model to model.
Disconnect battery and cover negative pole or terminal.
Remove lower steering column trim and disconnect orange airbag plug
Remove Torx screws holding airbag module.
Disconnect plug and remove airbag.
Place airbag face up in trunk
Visually check the airbag ring locking tab. (1)
If the tab is white in color, no further repair is needed.
If the tab is black in color it must be replaced.
Remove the steering wheel bolt and carefully pry out the retainer (2) and spring.
Replace black locking tab with new white tab.
Reinstall retainer and spring, reinstall bolt and tighten to 63 Nm.
Reconnect airbag and reinstall. Tighten screw on right side of steering wheel first, making sure that the wire is not pinched. Tighten to 8 Nm.
Reconnect the orange plug and reinstall the lower steering column cover.
Reconnect the battery.
Warranty Status:
Reimbursement for this Recall will be via Campaign Entry.
Defect Code: 00 32 03 01 00
Work Package 1: Inspect lock tab, no replacement necessary
Labor Operation: 00 55 009
Labor Allowance: E31, E32, E36 5 FRU
E34 6 FRU
Work Package 2: Inspect and replace locking tab.
Parts Allowance: 32 34 1 161 875 Lock tab (1)
Labor Operation: 00 55 010
Labor Allowance: E31, E32, E36 5 FRU
E34 7 FRU
Work Package 3: Inspect and replace locking tab and airbag
contact ring. (Only for cases where the contact ring wiring
has been damaged because of a broken locking tab.)
Parts Allowance: 32 34 1 161 875 Lock Tab (1)
32 34 1 160 901 Contact Ring (1)
Labor Operation: 00 51 205
Labor Allowance: E31, E32, E36 9 FRU
E34 11 FRU